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Theo Walcott: Arsenal forward has Everton medical before proposed £20m transfer

By David Ornstein and Phil McNultyBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Evertoncomments488

Walcott has scored 108 goals for Arsenal since joining in 2006
Walcott has scored 108 goals for Arsenal since joining in 2006

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is having a medical at Everton before a proposed move worth more than £20m.

It seems the England international, 28, has played his last game for the Gunners, whom he joined from Southampton 12 years ago.

Everton's offer is expected to fend off rivals for his signature, including Southampton.

Walcott is also enticed by the prospect of Toffees manager Sam Allardyce helping to reignite his career.

He has scored 108 goals in 397 appearances for Arsenal but has fallen out of favour with manager Arsene Wenger.

If a deal goes through, Arsenal plan to use the funds to reinvest, with concrete interest in Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bordeaux forward Malcom.

They are hoping to sign Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan in a deal which would involve Alexis Sanchez going the other way.

However, it is unlikely Arsenal would recruit all three players, and a source close to Mkhitaryan has told the BBC no agreement is close.

Allardyce has said Walcott would be a "fantastic addition" who would offer "goalscoring threat".

Wenger said he has told Walcott he wants him to stay but added on Friday he has not guaranteed game time to the player, who has 18 months left on his contract.

Meanwhile, the Gunners have offered a new deal to England midfielder Jack Wilshere. The offer is worth less than his current deal but is heavily incentivised.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at the Emirates at the end of the season.

Analysis

BBC Sport's David Ornstein

Walcott is not a done deal yet - there are still some hurdles to overcome before the deal can be completed.

Everton run a lengthy medical and therefore it makes sense to get it started while negotiations are ongoing so that if/when agreement is reached the deal can be completed, rather than having to then start the medical.

An outcome is expected in the next 24 hours.

Comments

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488 comments

  • Comment posted by Rez, at 11:12 16 Jan 2018

    I am close to a securing a night out with Kelly Brook* too...

    * I'm not, but Kelly if you're reading this

  • Comment posted by Henrys underpants, at 11:10 16 Jan 2018

    A new low for football journalism... “news” that transfers may be happening. Please keep this nonsense to the Gossip column until a deal has been confirmed.

    Nothing to see here - go about your business.

  • Comment posted by SuperHanz, at 11:05 16 Jan 2018

    As an Arsenal fan, I could see he loved playing for the club and his commitment has never been questioned (by me at least). However, he has never been able fulfil his potential at a club with so much competition for his preferred position, so I'm pleased that he's going somewhere where he can play week in week out (when fit!!).

  • Comment posted by Beachy Blue, at 11:15 16 Jan 2018

    Touson up front, bolasie and Theo on the wings, gilfi in the number 10, we might have a shot on goal!

  • Comment posted by Keyser Soze, at 11:09 16 Jan 2018

    Good signing 10 years ago

  • Comment posted by alan, at 11:03 16 Jan 2018

    Good luck Walcott

  • Comment posted by johnnycashman, at 11:38 16 Jan 2018

    The very best of luck and good health to you Theo, thank you for your honest service to AFC. I think he will be a good signing for Everton and will give his best.

  • Comment posted by ajm1983, at 11:06 16 Jan 2018

    Big Sam to reignite his career ....... surely there's a joke in there somewhere ??!

  • Comment posted by Stephen, at 14:07 16 Jan 2018

    The usual moaners will comment that Allardyce is a buffoon, Walcott is useless, Wenger is an idiot, etc.; but I think this is a good move for all concerned. He needs a fresh start, and he does have talent when his confidence is up. Confidence is so important in sport - something that armchair 'experts' consistently fail to understand. He could hit form again, or maybe not, but it's worth a shot.

  • Comment posted by User0026760752, at 12:46 16 Jan 2018

    With Lennon and Walcott out wide for Everton putting crosses in, I hope the fans behind the goal remember their helmets

  • Comment posted by D1679094855753, at 16:51 16 Jan 2018

    N17 is an embarrassment to me as a Spurs supporter for 55 years. He cannot spell or put a coherent point over without revealing his ignorance of football history. Best ignore him, all he is doing is trying to wind up as many Arsenal supporters as possible.
    Back to the topic of the thread, good luck to the lad Walcott, we need English players performing at the highest level before the World Cup.

  • Comment posted by MadHatter, at 12:47 16 Jan 2018

    £20M for an injury prone player, who will be 29 in 2 months, with 18 months left on his contract. Any Everton fans piping up on this occasion that this transfer is a waste of money on a bang average player?

  • Comment posted by Steve Tudor, at 12:35 16 Jan 2018

    Good luck and thanks Theo. Hard to hit consistent form without a run of games, the move will probably be good for him.

  • Comment posted by theatreofchips, at 12:04 16 Jan 2018

    I'll be gutted if this means that Lookman moves on.

  • Comment posted by Gezzer44, at 11:01 16 Jan 2018

    Would be a great signing for EFC and a desperately needed one..

  • Comment posted by User0864837225, at 12:34 16 Jan 2018

    @83 Spurtle and 84 coys. You two have exactly the same point of view, even expressing them in exactly the same way. That is amazing! Even the same paragraph separation! Wow! You both should be on the telly with that type of stuff. You'll both make a fortune.

  • Comment posted by Suds, at 11:07 16 Jan 2018

    Over 100 goals in 400 matches is a superb record for a winger. Great signing for Everton if he stays fit.

  • Comment posted by devils advocate, at 12:51 16 Jan 2018

    I guess that's as close as he'll ever get to his boyhood club, Liverpool.

    Should have left Arsenal years ago when he was good player.

  • Comment posted by D1679622761525, at 16:56 16 Jan 2018

    Walcot been at arsenal 12 years, all he done is grow a beard in that time

  • Comment posted by DeluxeMessiah, at 11:33 16 Jan 2018

    People are writing Theo off, as a has been, never made it, sort of player. He joined Arsenal as a striker and Wenger played him as a winger. So to make stats relevant, i have compared him to Willian (quite similar players) for the last 5 season. Willian (Chelsea) stats in all comps (215 games, 38 goals) Walcott (134 games, 45goals). The stats suggest he is better then people think!

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